Weak upper control arms

[Trailrunner]

Believe it is overdue for a recall on the trail boss for the flimsy upper control arms. This was the third one that I saw this month.

 

[Trailrunner]

 

[Adjust-Fire 13]

View attachment 6298

That looks BAD! What seems to be the weak link here? The ball joint or arm material? Mount?

 

[rascal71]

That's not a Trail Boss

 

[theUSAchevy]

Do you think the TB and the other trim levels have different UCA's?

 

[Gangly]

Thats not a TB, and the TB's dont have week UCA's.

The TB's have UCA's that are designed to work within specified limits, and when the UCA's are asked to operate outside those limits, the ball joints break. Its a very simple relationship, and you will RARELY ever see a stock suspended TB break a suspension component. I have yet to see a stock suspended TB break a UCA ball joint, meaning the stock UCA is more than adequate for the stock designs of the TB.

I would bet just about everything in somebody else's bank account that the stock UCA is not at the top of the list of concerns for GM considering they only break in aftermarket suspension setups. There is actually a Technical Service Bulletin on UCA warranty replacement denial that provides technicians with information on how to identify various suspension lifts, types, etc. when dealing with an alleged UCA failure.

 

[Gangly]

Do you think the TB and the other trim levels have different UCA's?

I do believe it has been published somewhere that the 2023 TB and ZR2 do share some suspension components that the Z71's dont, with the UCA's being one. Prior to 2023, TB and Z71's had basically the same suspension minus the shocks.

 

[tbuss5831]

Only upper arms I have seen are on lifted trucks. GM requires us to send in pictures before we can warranty any control arms. Pretty simple, if you lift it replace your upper arms or your ball joints are going to overextend and break.

 

[Jmzvet]

I've been running my ReadyLift SST kit for almost 20K mile with zero issues. 99% on paved roads though. Definitely don't abuse it.

 

[frensojeff]

If you are going to lift or level the truck, definitely replace the UCA's! Even if its just for looks, because the stock ones look like garbage! I bought the RC leveling kit and RC forged UCA's...they've been sitting in the box for 2 years, but I have them...that's all that matters, right?!...hahaha!

 

[Aztb]

Believe it is overdue for a recall on the trail boss for the flimsy upper control arms. This was the third one that I saw this month.

2020 trail boss 45k highway miles happened on paved road they need to recall ! Tow truck driver said this week he saw 3 chevys same problem besides mine 2 of them rolled , this is very dangerous

 

[Aztb]

Happened on the road , no brakes since it broke the brake line

 

[Jmzvet]

I doubt there has been any stock/unmodified TB that has had any problems with the UCA under “normal “ use

 

[MalibuSkier]

@Aztb did you have a lift or level kit on your truck? What modifications had been done?

 

[Stormin08]

I have seen a few stockers with issues...

I have had 1 vehicle ever, break a Ball joint...luckily at low speed turning through an intersection....but even at that....you have zero control.